Moody looks to heavens

By Chris Roots, Sydney

The Black Caviar show will roll into Sydney for Saturday's T.J. Smith Stakes - weather permitting.

Her old sparring partner, Hay List, is likely to be waiting for her despite a poor track gallop at Wyong on Sunday.

Heaven sent: Black Caviar strides clear of the field in the Coolmore Lightning Stakes.Credit:Getty Images

The hulking sprinter was beaten by stablemate Australian Star, but trainer John McNair was not giving up on starting in the T.J. Smith.

"It wasn't the gallop we were expecting, but no decision has been made yet," he said. "His hind foot that has been giving the trouble all along is giving him problems again. The funny thing is that his work on Friday was great.

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"With this horse a week is a long time and Glyn [Schofield] is going to come up and work him again on Wednesday and we will make the call after that. I'm confident he can still be there on Saturday.''

Black Caviar's trainer Peter Moody indicated the track condition would play a role in whether she starts.

Randwick was rated a heavy (eight) on Sunday and rain is predicted this week.

"I wouldn't be that keen to see her on a wet track," Moody said. "I'm going to be up there all week for the sales, so will know how the weather is and if the track is improving."

It is two years since Black Caviar was in Sydney for her 12th win in her unbeaten streak of 24. That day she roared past Hay List in arguably the best win of her career.

Black Caviar will meet at least 10 rivals in the T.J. Smith.

"It is a $1 million weight-for-age, group 1 race over 1200 metres and she has proven herself the best in the world at that trip and conditions," Moody said. "We are not coming thinking it is going to be easy."

Star Sydney filly Snitzerland is unlikely to take on Black Caviar. Trainer Gerald Ryan she was likely to run in the Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide on April 27. "I would think if she was to run on Saturday it might be the end of her preparation and there are some good races for her in Adelaide," he said.